Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1080: Relates to hospitalization, care coordination, and assisted outpatient treatment for persons with mental illness

S 1080, the "Supportive Interventions Act," updates New York's mental health laws to improve outpatient treatment access for people with severe mental illness who may not recognize their need for care. It revises definitions of "likely to result in serious harm" to explicitly include risks like untreated psychosis, self-neglect, and psychiatric deterioration - expanding beyond current narrow interpretations. The bill requires clinicians to assess whether a person could adhere to outpatient treatment and consider long-term health impacts before recommending involuntary hospitalization. This aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, support community integration, and strengthen the existing Kendra's Law assisted outpatient treatment program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands outpatient mental health access by broadening criteria for assisted treatment, improving patient access to care under mental health services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 1226: Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care

Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public notice before closing mental health/maternity units, protecting access to critical healthcare services and preventing service disruptions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 371: Relates to creating a wholesale prescription drug importation program

Creates a wholesale prescription drug importation program which complies with federal standards and regulations for the purpose of generating substantial savings for consumers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates prescription drug importation program to generate consumer savings, directly improving affordability and access to medications under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5024: Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools

Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools for students who do not receive services pursuant to the individuals with disabilities education act.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates development of health/mental health professional-to-student ratios, enhancing student access to support services and aligning with educational access and student program support.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates developing school mental health professional-to-student ratios, directly advancing access to mental health services for students outside IDEA coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate May 1, 2026

S 8083: Relates to staffing at state-operated facilities that deliver health care services

Requires each state-operated facility that delivers health care services which is operated and licensed pursuant to the mental hygiene law, the education law, the correction law or section 504 of the executive law and which requires two or more registered nurses or licensed practical nurses to be present within the facility at any given time.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates minimum nurse staffing levels in state healthcare facilities, directly supporting patient safety and service quality under mental hygiene law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

A 2640: Relates to requiring prescription drug containers be labeled with a description of the size, shape, color and imprint of the prescription drug it contains if such drug is in tablet or capsule form

This bill requires pharmacies to label prescription drug containers with a physical description of the pill itself, including its size, shape, color, and any imprint markings. It directly affects pharmacies and pharmacists who dispense prescription medications, adding these specific details to existing label requirements. The key provision updates current labeling rules by mandating that the container label must include these visual characteristics to help patients and healthcare providers identify the medication accurately. This change aims to improve safety and reduce medication errors by providing clearer visual identification of prescription drugs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates clear pill labeling to prevent medication errors, enhancing patient safety and rights in healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 8334: Relates to insurance reimbursement for vaccination for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

S 8334 requires health insurance plans to cover all recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (SARS-CoV-2), adding it to a list of mandatory immunizations already covered by New York insurance law. This affects insurance companies, healthcare providers, and patients by mandating reimbursement for the vaccine without cost-sharing. The bill amends multiple sections of New York’s insurance and social services laws to include "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" in required coverage, aligning with federal standards for biological products. It applies to all insurance contracts effective January 1 after the law takes effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccine without cost-sharing, expanding patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 8, 2026

A 7891: Expands insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization

This bill requires most employer-sponsored health insurance plans (large group policies) in New York to cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments for infertility. Specifically, it mandates coverage for up to three cycles of IVF, removing prior restrictions that limited coverage. Plans may still apply standard cost-sharing like deductibles and co-pays, consistent with other medical benefits. The law directly affects employers offering large group health insurance and individuals covered under those plans, ensuring IVF becomes a standard benefit for infertility treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates employer health insurance coverage for IVF treatments, expanding access to fertility care under healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer health coverage for IVF, expanding employee benefits under employment standards per bill's requirement for large group plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate May 27, 2025

S 6000: Directs the department of health to establish an alternative payment methodology (APM) for Federally Qualified Health Centers to preserve and improve patient access to fertility care

Directs the department of health to establish an alternative payment methodology (APM) for federally qualified health centers to preserve and improve patient access to fertility care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirectly improves access to fertility care for FQHC patients via new payment methodology, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Women's Health

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 7280: Relates to the age of persons enrolled in certain large group policies who receive annual mammograms

This bill lowers the age for mandatory annual mammogram coverage under large group health insurance plans from 35 to 30 years old. It directly affects women aged 30-39 enrolled in large employer-sponsored health plans. The key change modifies insurance law to require annual mammograms for this age group in large plans (previously only for ages 35-39), though coverage remains subject to physician recommendation and medical necessity determination. This policy update applies to all large group health insurance policies issued or renewed after the effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mandatory mammogram coverage to age 30, improving preventive care access for women 30-39 under large group plans.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands health benefits for employees by mandating earlier mammogram coverage in large employer plans, aligning with workplace health standards and employment benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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